CVE-2020-3224 in IOS XE
Summary
by MITRE
A vulnerability in the web-based user interface (web UI) of Cisco IOS XE Software could allow an authenticated, remote attacker with read-only privileges to inject IOS commands to an affected device. The injected commands should require a higher privilege level in order to be executed. The vulnerability is due to insufficient input validation of specific HTTP requests. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by sending crafted HTTP requests to a specific web UI endpoint on an affected device. A successful exploit could allow the attacker to inject IOS commands to the affected device, which could allow the attacker to alter the configuration of the device or cause a denial of service (DoS) condition.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/21/2020
This vulnerability exists within the web-based user interface of Cisco IOS XE Software, representing a critical security flaw that enables authenticated remote attackers to execute command injection attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within specific HTTP request processing pathways, creating a pathway for malicious command injection that could compromise the integrity and availability of network infrastructure. The flaw specifically affects the web UI endpoint handling mechanisms, where the system fails to properly sanitize user-supplied input before processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-74, which describes weaknesses related to improper neutralization of special elements used in a command. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious HTTP requests that contain specially formatted input designed to bypass the existing validation controls. The system processes these requests without adequate sanitization, allowing the injected commands to be interpreted and executed by the underlying IOS operating system. This represents a privilege escalation vector where read-only authenticated users can potentially execute commands requiring higher privilege levels.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple configuration changes to potentially enable complete system compromise through denial of service conditions or unauthorized access to sensitive network functions. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to inject commands that modify routing tables, disable security features, or manipulate network traffic flows, creating significant disruption to network operations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or elevated privileges beyond basic authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise network environments where web UI access is commonly enabled.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing robust input validation controls and ensuring proper privilege separation within the web UI components. Network administrators should immediately apply Cisco's security patches and updates to address the vulnerability, while also implementing network segmentation to limit access to the affected web UI endpoints. Additional protective measures include enabling strong authentication mechanisms, implementing web application firewalls, and conducting regular security assessments of network management interfaces. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under command injection techniques, specifically targeting the web application layer where the insufficient input validation creates exploitable conditions for remote code execution. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect anomalous HTTP request patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts, as this vulnerability represents a significant risk to network infrastructure security and operational continuity.